Foundation garment



1967 R. WEINTRAUB FOUNDATION GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

Filed June 6, 1966 FIG. .I

FIG. 4

FIG?) INVENTOR. RONALD WEINTRAUB fiO & M

ATTORNEYS Oct. 3, 1967 R. WEINTRAUB 3,344,793

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed June 6, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RONALD WEINTRAUB ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,344,793 FOUNDATION GARMENT Ronald Weintraub, New York, N.Y., assignor to Flexnit Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 6, 1966, Ser. No. 555,496 Claims. (Cl. 128-547) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Foundation garment comprising outer means for providing molding and supporting pressures to the normally flaccid tissues of the hips, thighs, abdomen and derriere of a torso to enhance the appearance thereof and inner means for providing figure controlling forces, especially to the lower spinal region of the torso to aid in controlling posture, said inner means being secured with said outer means at a plurality of spaced apart locations, enabling said inner means to transmit the forces developed therein to the torso at locations away from the lower spinal region.

The present invention pertains, generally, to foundation garments, and, more particularly, to foundation garments for molding the human torso, and for providing positive figure control and freedom of articulation.

Heretofore, foundation garments have been suggested primarily to provide for molding of the human torso, particularly those portions of the human figure or torso generally known as the abdomen, the buttocks, and the hips. Such molding is especially desirable when there is an excessive displacement or protrusion of such portions of the human figure or torso which is the result, for example, of the presence of large amounts of flaccid tissue. Such heretofore known foundation garments generally attempt to enhance the aesthetics of the human figure or torso, especially in the above-mentioned portions, by causing such flaccid issue to the displaced or molded by means of controlling pressures applied to such portions directly. In so molding or confining such portions by direct pressure applied thereto, an increased stress is imposed upon the remainder of the body or torso. Additionally, positive assistance in figure control or support is desirable, to aid in enhancing the figure and especially in supporting or controlling the configuration of the spinal column, particularly with a view toward supplementing the inherent degree of figure control of the body or torso. Such additional support or figure control will enable the figure or torso to, in effect, maintain a normal condition of balmce, and will further enable it to effect the proper posture and aesthetic appearance. While garments are available that attempts to provide or present such figure control or support, and especially posture control, such garments are uncomfortable because of either excessive weights thereof, binding, and tendencies of such garments to ride or bunch.

Accordingly, having in mind each of the above disadvantages, and others that are considered readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it will be understood that a primary object of the present invention is to provide foundation garments for molding the human torso, and for providing positive figure control thereto.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing objects, is to provide foundation garments for molding the human figure or torso, and for providing positive figure control thereto, said garments being primarily fabricated of lightweight cloth or materials.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide foundation garments for molding the human figure Patented Oct. 3, 1967 ice or torso, and for providing positive figure control thereto, said garments being constructed of a minimal number or quantity of panels or pieces that are primarily fabricated of lightweight materials or fabrics.

Still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide foundation garments for molding the human figure or torso, and for providing positive figure control thereto, so constructed and arranged as to aid in imposing thereupon the proper conditions of balance, further enabling the torso to assume the proper attitude or posture in the absence of any interference with breathing or articulation of movements, while yet still further enabling the garments to be worn in complete comfort.

A still further object of this invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide foundation garments for molding the human figure or torso, and for providing positive figure control, said garments being so constructed and arranged as to be readily articulated, pliable, and contour-conforming.

Another and yet still further object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide foundation garments for molding the human torso or figure, and for providing positive figure control thereto, said garments being so constructed and arranged as to substantially preclude riding, bunching, and the like.

An additional object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide foundation garments for molding the human figure or torso, capable of providing posture control, and capable of performing certain functions of a surgical garment, such as presenting proper support in the lower region of the back, which garments are yet completely comfortable during use.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts incorporated in a foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It will be better understood, and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated herein will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, describes, discloses, shows and illustrates certain preferred embodiments or modifications of the present invention. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be specifically reserved, especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a foundation gar-,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the garment shownin FIG. 1 with the garment turned inside out to show certain details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the garment shown in the preceding figures.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational View of the garment of the preceding figures but with the garment being turned inside out to show certain details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of another foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the foundation garment of FIG. 5, but with the garment turned inside out;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the garment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with the garment turned inside out;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of another foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of At the outset, it is to be understood that, while the present invention is illustrated as applied to a foundation garment comprising leg structures of comparatively short length, the same is equally applicable to foundation garments comprising leg structures extending to a greater or lesser extent along the thighs of the torso defining a pantygirle or the leg structures may be eliminated to define an open-bottom girdle. Similarly, the foundation garment might be longer at the waist of the torso defining a corselette, a panty-corselette or a corset. Furthermore, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to foundation garments adapted to be worn upon the male torso.

7 With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a foundation garment such as a panty-girdle 30 is illustrated therein. The foundation garment or girdle 30 comprises outer means, such as an outer assembly or shell 32 and inner means, such as an inner assembly 34. The outer assembly or shell 32 may be of any conventional construction and design and, for example, may be constructed substantially completely of elastic material which is distensible in at least one direction. For example, the outer assembly or shell may be fabricated of an elastic material having a primary stretch characteristic extending generally in a body-encircling direction, that is substantially horizontal. The outer assembly or shell 32 may also be fabricated of a material that is distensible in each of a plurality of directions, that is, having elastic threads extending in each of said directions. The outer assembly or shell 32 is preferably of such dimensional extent as to extend substantially completely transversely of the rear or back of the torso, around the sides thereof, and substantially completely transversely of the front of the torso. The outer assembly or shell 32 may be fabricated of a single panel of material or may be fabricated of a plurality of panels, such as a front panel 36 and a rear panel 38, secured together along the side edges 40 as by stitching, or the like. The outer assembly or shell 32, as shown, may further comprise a plurality of leg sections 42, extending generally vertically downwardly therefrom, said sections being particularly adapted to at least partially encompass or encircle the thighs of the torso.

The legsection 42 may be formed integrally with the front and rear panels 36 and 38, and may further comprise inner thigh panels 44 securd with the front and rear panels 36 and 38, as by stitching, or the like. The panels 44 may be fabricated of any suitable material, for example, the same material from which the front and rear panels 36 and 38 are fabricated, and accordingly will be distensible in the same directions as the front and rear panels 36 and 38. The crotch piece 46, preferably fabricated of a soft flexible material, is secured with the panels 36, 38 and 44 in a conventional manner. The crotch piece 46 might also be detachably connected with the panels 36, 38 and 44 to facilitate the performance of normal bodily functions without requiring removal of the garment, or the crotch piece might be fabricated of a plurality of overlapping layers of fabric enabling the layers to be easily separated for the same purpose. The upper and lower peripheral portions of the outer assembly or shell 32 may be provided with hems 47 and 48, respectively, formed for example by folding over the peripheral portions of the panels 36, 38 and 44, and securing the hems 47 and 48 as by rows of stitching 50 and 51, respectively, in a conventional manner. The hems 47 and 48 may be further provided with strips of elastic extending therealong, if desired.

It will also be understood that foundation garments constructed in accordance herewith may comprise hosiery supporter or garters 54 for detachably connecting a pair of hose (not shown) with respect thereto.

The inner assembly 34 co-operates with the outer assembly or shell 32 to provide positive figure or posture control to the torso to supplement the molding and support achieved by the outer assembly. More specifically, the inner assembly 34 provides figure controlling restriction and constraint to the torso, especially to the lower back region and the lower spinal column to improve posture and thereby enhance the appearance of the body and to improve the stability and balance thereof, thereby reducing fatigue and providing comfort. The inner assembly 34 is particularly constructed and arranged to provide such posture or figure control while transmitting the stresses developed thereby away from the lower back or lower spinal regions to areas of the outer shell or assembly 32, and to regions of the torso more capable of absorbing such stresses.

More particularly, the inner assembly 34 comprises a band assembly 56 and a stress-dissipating assembly 58. The band. assembly 56 comprises back band means 60 adapted to extend generally transversely across the lower back region of the torso and front band means 62 adapted to extend generally transversely across the abdominal region of the torso. The back band means 60 preferably is fabricated of firm elastic material having a strong elastic characteristic in at least a transverse direction. That is, the back band means 60 exhibits a strong resistance to stretching in at least a horizontal direction. Preferably, the material from which the band band means 60 is fabricated is non-distensible in a vertical direction. Furthermore, the back band means 60 preferably is of generally trapezoidal configuration, with the shorter of the bases thereof adapted to engage the torso substantially at the waistline thereof with the longer base being positioned below the waist, extending generally backwardly between the hips so that the back band means 60 will overlie and constrain the lumbar region. The back band means 60, accordingly, may be defined by a shorter base edge portion 64, a longer base edge portion 66, and a plurality of side edge portions 68 extending between the base portion 64 and 66.

The front band means 62 is secured with the side edge portion 68 of the back band means 60 to create a direct pull thereon in a direction extending generally transversely of the torso, that is, from front to back or in a generally horizontal direction. The front band assembly 62 preferably comprises a pair of opposed bias panels 70 secured with the side edge portions 68 of the back band 60, as by stitching, or the like, and extends therefrom towards the mesial front portion of the garment 30. The mesial front portion of the garment 30 may be provided with an abdominal control assembly 72 which may be fabricated for example of a material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic to enhance the natural bodily contours of the abdominal region. The bias panels 70 may be secured in the mesial front region of the garment 30 to the control assembly 72 and to the outer assembly 32 by means of the peripherally extending stitching, or the like, utilized to secure the abdominal control assembly 72 with the outer assembly or shell 32.

The bias panels 70 are preferably fabricated of a mate-- rial having a primary stretch characteristic extending slightly angularly as indicated by the double-headed arrows in FIG. 2. The bias panels 70 preferably are wider at the mesial front of the garment and narrow to the width of the back band 60 at the junction therewith enabling V the inner assembly 34 to adapt itself in the portions of the garment 30 adapted to be disposed generally laterally of the torso to create an overall equalizing adjustable pull around the body.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the bias panels 70 are secured with the mesial front portion of the outer assembly or shell 32 along the periphery of the abdominal control assembly 72 and with the back band 60 along the sides 68 thereof. The bias panels 70 preferably are further secured with the outer assembly or shell 32 along the upper 'hem 47 and the back panel 38 of the outer assembly or shell 32 may be cut-away in the mesial rear portion thereof adjacent to the waistline, as shown in FIG. 3.

The back hand 60 is secured with the back panel 38 along the upper hem 47 adjacent the cut-away portion thereof so that the mesial portions of the back band 60 and the back panel 38 are free to move relative to one another to enable the garment to flex during articulation of the torso allowing the garment 30 to elongate during such articulation of movement with bunching and riding. The band portion 56 of the inner assembly 34 may be further secured with the outer assembly or shell 32 at the lower end portion of the sides 68 as by stitching, or the like.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the band assembly 56 provides direct support and figure or posture control to the lower mesial back or lumbar region of the back by applying a constraining pressure or force thereto, which pressure or force is transmitted generally forwardly of the garment to the abdominal region. Furthermore, the control assembly 58 may for example comprise a control panel 59 secured with the back band 60 along the base 66 thereof, as by stitching 71 or the like, and with the rear panel 38 of the outer assembly or shell 32 as by means of stitching 61, or the like, extending generally along the portion thereof corresponding with the gluteofemoral crease, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The panel '59 preferably is fabricated of a material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic and accordingly will transmit stresses developed in the back band 66, especially during articulation or bending of the torso downwardly to generally below the buttocks of the torso, further enabling freedom of movement of the back band 60 and the upper portion of thet back panel 38, especially during bending of the torso. The elastic panel 59 further aids in retaining the back band 60 in position upon the torso, and in applying the figure or posture control forces to the band means 56.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawing, there is shown and illustrated a garment 30' substantially similar to the garment of the preceding figures except as will hereinafter be described. Since the garment 30' is substantially similar to the garment 30, similar reference characters will be used for similar parts, except that the reference characters will be primed. In the garment shown and illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, the control assembly 58' comprises a pair of panels 59 joined together as by means of stitching 64' and being substantially independent of the outer shell 32' to function similarly to the panel 59 of FIGS. 1 through 4. Each of the panels 59 is preferably fabricated of a material having a primary diagonal stretch characteristic, as shown by the double-headed arrows in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the stitching '61 securing the panels 59' to the back panel 38 extends to a lesser degree upwardly of the gluteofemoral crease than the stitching 61 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, as is readily apparent in FIGS. 5 through 7. Accordingly, each of the panels 59' can adjust separately to each side of the body or torso, according to the needed control at the soft fleshly portion of the upper hip thereof, since the panels are not jointed to the outer shell at this location, nor to each other. The hips are further controlled by the overlapping stitched-together portions of the panels 60' and 38', as clearly shown and illustrated.

With reference now to FIG. 8, there is shown and illusstrated a garment 30" constructed according to the present invention. The garment 30" is substantially similar to the garments 30 and 30' of the preceding figures, and accordingly like reference characters will be used, except that the reference characters will be double-primed. Accordingly, a detailed description of this garment is not deemed to be necessary, except Where the garment 30" differs from the garments 30 and 30 of the preceding figures. Again, as with the garment 30, the garment 30" differs from the garment 30 primarily in the construction and arrangement of the control panel 59". The panel 59" is fabricated from a single piece of material, preferably having a primary vertical stretch characteristic and is secured along the lower peripheral edge with the rear panel 38" as by the stitching 61". The stitching 61" is of lesser extent than the stitching 61 or 61', and extends substantially along the extent of the gluteofemoral crease. The upper peripheral edge 71" of the control panel 59 is of substantially greater extent than the upper peripheral edge portion 71 of the panel 59, and is substantially similar in extent to the combined upper peripheral edges 71 of the panel 59' and is, as in the previous embodiments, secured with the base 66" of the back band 60", as by stitching, or the like. Accordingly, the control panel 59" is secured with the back band 60 substantially completely along the lower base 66" thereof, as clearly shown and illustrated.

Each of the panels 59, 59 and.59" as hereinbefore pointed out, are etfective to transmit the stresses developed in the back band 60 downwardly to the region of the torso adjacent the gluteofemoral crease. The panels 59, 59 and 59 further provide a localized control pressure to the 'fieshy tissue of the buttocks to aid in molding and supporting the buttocks, and thereby improve the appearance of the torso.

Each of the garments 30, 30' and 30" are so constructed and arranged as to fulfill the objects as heretofore set forth. The outer assembly of each of these garments provides the conventional molding and supporting function of a foundation garment, and the inner assemblies of each of these garments co-operate with the outer assemblies to provide localized figure molding support to the abdomen and buttocks, and to provide for figure or posture control by applying supporting forces to the abdomen and lower spinal or lumbar region of the back. The forces developed by the inner assembly in performing these molding and supporting functions, as hereinbefore specifically pointed out, are transmitted to the outer assembly and thereby to the torso in regions of the torso more fully capable of receiving such forces while the back band portions of the various garments are substantially independent of the outer assemblies, further enabling freedom of movement to the torso.

It is to be understood that terminology such as upper, lower, forwardly, rearwardly, horizontal, and vertical, as used in the description and subjoined claims, along with other similar directional terminology, is to be construed and interpreted in its normal and accepted sense. However, such terminology is not to be construed or interpreted in a limiting sense, either in the description of the claims, since the same is used merely to facilitate an understanding of, and to clearly set forth and particularly define the present invention.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosed in terms of certain preferred embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be'deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein shown, illustrated, described or disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications being suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A foundation garment comprising, in combination, outer means for providing molding and supporting pressures to the normally flaccid tissues of the hips, thighs, abdomen and deniere of a torso to enhance the appearance thereof, and inner means for providing figure controlling forces to the abdominal and lower spinal region of the torso to enhance and aid in controlling posture, said inner means being secured with said outer means at an abdominal region of the garment, and at least at a portion of a waistline region disposed generally laterally thereof, and comprising elastic band means disposed at least at the rear of the garment, and control panel means connected with said elastic band means at least at a substantially lower portion thereof and said outer means generally .along a line that corresponds generally with the gluteofrom the lower spinal region.

2. The foundation garment as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic band means comprises a body-encircling elastic band secured generally vertically with said outer means at said abdominal region and generally horizontally therewith at said waistline region.

3. The foundation garment as defined in claim 2, wherein said body-encircling elastic band is free to move relative to said outer means in the mesial back region of the garment.

4. The foundation garment as defined in claim 2, wherein said control panel means is secured with a lower rear peripheral portion of the body-encircling band.

5. The foundation garment as defined in claim 4, wherein said control panel means is fabricated of a material having a primary vertical stretch characteristic. 7 6. The foundation garment as defined in claim 4 wherein said control panel means comprises a pair of inner back panels joined at the lower center back, each panel being fabricated of fabric having a primary diagonal stretch characteristic enabling the inner back panels to adjust separately to each side of the body, according to the required control at the soft fleshy portion of the upper hip.

7. The foundation garment as defined in claim 4, wherein said control panel means comprises a unitary inner back panel, said inner back panel being configured along the lower peripheral edge thereof to substantially coincide with the gluteofemoral crease and along the upper peripheral edge to substantially coincide with the lower rear peripheral edge to substantially coincide with the lower rear peripheral edge of said body-encircling band.

8. The foundation garment as defined in claim 5, wherein said body-encircling band comprises a back band of firm elastic material having a primary horizontal stretch characteristic, said control panel means being secured with the lower peripheral edge of said back band.

9. The foundation garment as defined in claim 8, wherein said back band is adapted to substantially completely rial having generally vertical stretch characteristics.

11. The foundation garment as defined in claim 10, wherein said body-encircling elastic band comprises a pair of inner front panels fabricated of elastic material having a primary stretch characteristic extending on the bias, said inner front panels being wider at the center front and narrowing back towards the under-arm section of the garment to create an overall equalizing adjustable pull around the body.

12. A foundation garment comprising, in combination, outer means for providing molding and supporting pressures, especially to flaccid tissues at the hips, thighs, abdomen and derriere of a torso, to enhance the appearance thereof; inner means adapted to be disposed in generally overlying relationship to at least the lower spinal region for providing figure controlling forces thereto to enhance and aid in controlling posture and balance; said inner means comprising elastic band means disposed at least at the rear of the garment, and control panel means connected with said elastic band means at least at a substantially lower portion thereof, and means securing said inner means with said outer means at a plurality of spaced apart locations for stressing said inner means in a plurality of directions upon engagement thereof with a torso, one of said locations being disposed generally along a line that corresponds generally with the gluteofemoral crease, enabling said inner means to transmit the forces developed therein to the torso at locations away from the lower spinal region.

13. The foundation garment as defined in claim 12, wherein at least one of said locations is disposed in spaced apart relationship to a waistline portion of the garment for stressing said inner means generally transversely to the girth-encircling direction.

14. The foundation garment as defined in claim 13 wherein at least another of said locations is disposed at said waistline portion of the garment for stressing said inner means in a girth-encircling direction.

15. The foundation garment as defined in claim 14, wherein said elastic band means comprises an elastic band extending in a body encircling direction adapted to be disposed in overlying relationship to the lower spinal region, and wherein said control panel means is secured with a lower rear peripheral portion of the elastic band, said securing means connecting said control panel means and said outer means at said one of said locations and said elastic band and said outer means at said other of said locations.

16. The foundation garment as defined in claim 15, wherein said securing means connects said band and said outer means at said other location along at least a part for said waistline.

17. The foundation garment as defined in claim 16, wherein said securing means connects said band and said outer means at a generally abdominal region.

18. The foundation garment as defined in claim 16, wherein said securing means connects said band and said outer means generally at the sides of the garment.

19. The foundation garment as defined in claim 16, wherein said control panel means comprises a pair of inner back panels joined at the lower center back, each panel being fabricated of fabric having a primary diagonal stretch characteristic enabling the inner back panels to adjust separately to each side of the body, according to a References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,804 5/1950 Martin 128-554 2,680,848 6/ 1954 Hannes et al 128-547 2,718,008 9/1955 Trznadel 128-556 2,889,964 8/1959 Beurie 128548 3,133,541 5/1964 Lewis et al. 128540 3,270,748 9/ 1966 Cuozzi 128-547 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FOUNDATIN GARMENT COMPRISING, A COMBINATION, OUTER MEANS FOR PROVIDING MOLDING AND SUPPORTING PRESSURES TO THE NORMALLY FLACCID TISSUES OF THE HIPS, THIGHS, ABDOMEN AND DERRIERE OF A TORSO TO ENHANCE THE APPEARANCE THEREOF, AND INNER MEANS FOR PROVIDING FIGURE CONTROLLING FORCES TO THE ABDOMINAL AND LOWER SPINAL REGION OF THE TORSO TO ENHANCE AND AID IN CONTROLLING POSTURE, SAID INNER MEANS BEING SECURED WITH SAID OUTER MEANS AT AN ABDOMINAL REGION OF THE GARMENT, AND AT LEAST AT A PORTION OF A WAISTLINE REGION DISPOSED GENERALLY THEREOF, AND COMPRISING ELASTIC BAND MEANS DISPOSED AT LEAST AT THE REAR OF THE GARMENT, AND CONTROL PANEL MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID ELASTIC BAND MEANS AT LEAST AT A SUBSTANTIALLY 